K2

Instruction Manual

www.rodemic.com
(EMC, LVD)
Introduction
We at RØDE would like to thank you and congratulate
you on purchasing the K2.

This valve microphone represents the finest studio

microphone technology currently available.

The K2 is a valve condenser design in the tradition of

the classic studio microphones. The character of the K2
sound will become immediately obvious the first time
you record with it.

While we have captured the subtlety of the legendary

valve microphones, we have also made sure the
noise specification and reliability is equal to current
professional recording standards.

Please take the time to visit www.rodemic.com and

register your microphone for a full ten year warranty.

While there you can view studio tips and techniques, as

well as browse the comprehensive range of accessories
for microphones.

Peter Freedman
Microphones
Sydney, Australia

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 Specifications

Acoustic Pressure, Pressure gradient

Principle:

Active Valve/tube impedance

Electronics: converter with bipolar output
buffer
Directional Multi Pattern
Pattern: (see graph)

Frequency 20Hz ~ 20,000Hz

Range: (see graph)

Output 200Ω
Impedence:

Sensitivity: -36dB re 1V/Pa @ 1kHz

(16mV/Pa @ 94dB SPL)
±2dB @ 1kHz

Equivalent Noise: 10dBA SPL

(per IEC651, IEC268-15)

Maximum >+30dBu
Output: (@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1kΩ)

Dynamic Range: 150dB (per IEC651)

Maximum SPL: 162dB

(@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1kΩ)

Signal/Noise: >81dB SPL

(@ 1kHz, rel 1Pa per IEC651)

Power Dedicated power supply

Requirement: (100-120V / 200-240V AC
50/60Hz)

Net Weight: 815g

Dimensions: 208 x 55 x 55mm

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Specifications
Frequency Response

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 Features
• Large capsule (1”) with gold-plated diaphragm

• Class “A” valve circuitry

• Hand selected and graded 6922 twin-triode valve

• Dedicated power supply

• Ultra low noise

• Wide dynamic range

• Continuously variable polar patterns controlled

at the power supply.

• High level of RF rejection

• Designed & manufactured in Australia

• Full 10 year guarantee*

Accessories

• Power supply • Power cable

• K2 cable • Stand mount (SM2)

*Online product registration required.

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 Before using the K2
• Ensure that your K2 has been set to the correct
voltage, as used in your country. The K2 can be
used with mains supply voltages of between either
110-120V 50/60Hz or 220-240V 50/60Hz.
- To select for 110-120V use, set the voltage selector
to 115V.
- To select for 220-240V use, set the voltage
selector to 230V.

• On either voltage selection the mains fuse (inside

the mains socket) is always to be a T500mA slow
blow fuse.

• The back panel of the K2 power supply has a

microphone output socket, a ground (earth) lift, a
microphone input socket, a voltage selector, and a
mains power socket which also incorporates a fuse.
Microphone input

Mains socket & fuse

Microphone
output

Ground lift Voltage selector

• The front panel of the K2 power supply has the

mains power on/off switch, the Polar Pattern dial
and a blue LED to indicate power status.

Power switch Power LED

-6-
 Connecting the K2
• Having ensured that the power supply is set to the
correct voltage you can begin to connect the K2
to the power supply. Do not connect the power to
the mains before connecting the microphone.

• Connect the male 7-pin plug of the K2 cable to the

7-pin input socket on the rear of the power supply.

• Connect the female 7-pin plug of the K2 cable

to the microphone. Ensure that both plugs are
correctly aligned and pushed firmly into their
respective sockets.

• Now connect an XLR microphone cable to the

output socket on the rear of the power supply,
taking that output to your mixer/pre-amplifier.

• We suggest the use of a high quality cable,

preferably with gold plated contacts. Use as short
a cable as possible, as long cables can adversely
affect sound quality.

• Ensure that the K2 is fixed securely using the

supplied SM2 shock mount to a stable microphone
stand. The K2 condenser microphone is a precision
instrument and should be treated with care.

• Now you can connect the power supply to the

mains supply and begin using the K2 microphone.
It is recommended to allow a minute or two to
allow the microphone to stabilise.

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Setting the Polar Pattern
• Your K2 can be adjusted to any Polar Pattern from
omni, through cardioid to figure of eight. This
flexibility allows recording of most instruments
and/or voices with absolute control.

• Select the preferred Polar Pattern. This is done

with the circular dial (knob) on the front of the K2
Power Supply. (The most commonly used pattern
for vocal recording is Cardioid – at the 12 o’clock
position).

Cardioid

Omni Figure 8

• When the cardioid position is selected, the

microphone picks up sound from in front of the
microphone, and rejects sound from the rear.

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 Setting the Polar Pattern
• When in the omni position (fully anti-clockwise), the
microphone picks up sound from all around the
microphone and there is less proximity effect than
in cardioid mode. (Proximity Effect is an increase
in lower (bass) frequencies when the sound source
is ‘close’ to the microphone).The omni pattern is
commonly used for room (ambient) micing or to
record a more natural sound when close mi’ing
instruments.

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• When in the Figure 8 position (fully clockwise),

the microphone picks up sound from in front and
behind, and rejects sound from the other two
sides. This pattern is commonly used for interviews
(2 people with the microphone between them) or
in conjunction with a cardioid microphone to use
the MS (mid-side) stereo recording technique.

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-9-
Setting the Polar Pattern

• You are able to select any position between these

three main settings.

For example, if you choose a setting about halfway

between the omni and cardioid positions, you will
notice ‘some’ sound being picked up from the
rear of the microphone, instead of being almost
completely rejected (in cardioid). This can be
particularly useful when you do in fact wish for
‘some’ sound from the rear, but not so much as
when in omni mode.

• Experiment with the K2. Listen to the various

patterns, and decide what suits your current
application best.

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 Using the K2

• The gold dot on the face of the K2 indicates the

front of the microphone, and the pick-up area of
the cardioid pattern. Please be sure to have the
side with the dot facing the sound source you wish
to record.

• Microphone technique, or how to get the sound

you want, requires experimentation.

We suggest that you start with the channel EQ

set to ‘OFF’ or ‘FLAT’ (no boost or cut). Try to get
the sound you want by placing either reflective or
absorbent panels at various angles adjacent to the
source being recorded.

• Changing the acoustic properties of the space

around the microphone is our recommended initial
approach for obtaining best sound quality.
Remember you cannot change a room’s acoustic
properties with EQ.

When the preferred sound has been achieved

(as above) then EQ and effects such as reverb
or indeed any signal processing can be used for
enhancement, but should be used sparingly.

• It is worth mentioning that sometimes ‘cutting’ a

particular frequency (sound) may be preferable
to ‘boosting’ another. Of course ‘boosting’ can
increase noise level and so should be done
minimally.
As with many other aspects of the recording
process, finding the preferred ‘sound’ is a matter of
experimentation.

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Using the K2
• We strongly recommend the use of a pop shield or
filter for all vocal recording. These aid in minimising
plosive sounds (hard ‘P’, ‘B’, ‘T’ and ‘K’ sounds)
that produce a sudden jet of air which can cause
the capsule to overload and produce a ‘popping’
sound.

• Any moisture on the microphone capsule can

cause problems for condenser microphones,
however the use of a pop shield or wind shield
(optional accessory WS2) will reduce the risk of this
occurring.

• Placement of the microphone and pop shield

relative to the vocalist may be varied on several
factors including room acoustics, the vocal
performance, and whether the vocalist has a high
or deep voice.

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 Using the K2
• An ideal reference is to begin with the pop shield
directly in front of the vocalist, and approximately
15cm (6”) away from the microphone. This will assist
in keeping the performer at a constant minimum
distance from the microphone and helps to
maintain reasonable recording levels.

• Experimentation should be made with the angle

from which the microphone is addressed, as
different results can be achieved when the vocalist
is ‘off-axis’ to the microphone (and the gold dot).

Ground lift

• If an earth loop is present (a mains frequency hum)

there is a ground lift switch on the rear panel of
the power supply, which should be raised to the
‘lift’ position. This earth loop can appear when two
devices which are both earthed are connected
together.

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Storage
• After use the K2 should be removed from its
mount, wiped with a dry, soft cloth and placed in its
protective case.

• Be sure to place the moisture-absorbent crystals

(supplied) at the head of the microphone, so as to
absorb any moisture present.

Eventually this pack of crystals will need to be

dried. This is indicated by the crystals turning pink
in colour.

They can easily be re-used by placing them in an

oven at 100 - 150 degrees celsius for approximately
ten minutes. The crystals will operate effectively
again once they have turned blue.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
DO NOT DISCONNECT THE MICROPHONE
CABLE WHILE THE SYSTEM IS POWERED
AS THIS MAY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE
MICROPHONE

NEVER REMOVE THE MAINS EARTH

DOING SO CAN HAVE LETHAL CONSEQUENCES
ACHTUNG: LEBENSGEFAHR
ENTFERNE NIEMALS DEN SCHUTZLEITER
NON SCOLLEATE IL FILO DI TERRA
POTREBBE ESSERE MOLTO PERICOLOSO PER IL RISCHIO DI
SCOSSE ELETTRICHE
RELIEZ IMPERATIVEMENT L’ALIMENTATION A LA PRICE TERRE
SOUS RRISQUE MORTEL S’ÉLECTROCUTION
NUNCA MANIPULE LA TOMA DE TIERRA
ESTA ACCION PUEDE TENER GRAVES CONSECUENCIAS

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 IMPORTANT NOTICE

NOTE: There are no user-serviceable parts inside the K2

supply, but there ARE potentially lethal voltages.
If the supply does not work correctly, you should consult either
the dealer you purchased the microphone from, or a qualified
electronic technician.
DO NOT under any circumstance open the unit yourself!

ACHTUNG: Das K2 Netzteil enthält keine Teile, die vom

Benutzer repariert werden können.
Gefahr: Das Gerät enth ält spannungführende Bauteile!
Für Reparaturen suchen Sie bitte Ihren Händler oder einen
qualifizierten Fachbetrieb auf.
Auf keinen Fall dürfen Sie selbst das Gehäuse offnen!

NOTA: All’interno dell’alimentatore del K2 non ci sono parti

riparabili dall’utente ma ci sono invece tensioni pericolose! Se
I’alimentatore non funziona correttamente dovete consultare il
rivenditore presso il quale avete acquistato il microfono oppure
un tecnico elettronico qualificato.
NON APRITE in ogni caso I’unità in quanto pericoloso!

AVERTISSEMENT: N’enlevez pas le capot de I’alimentation,

sous risque d’éléctrocution. Si I’alimentation ne fonctionne
pas correctement, consultez votre revendeur, ou un technicien
qualifié.Vous ne devez sous aucun prétexte ouvrir
I’alimentation
vous-même!

NOTA: No manipule internamente la fuente de alimentacion

del K2, puesto que el alto voltaje puede ser perjudicial en caso
de sufrir una descarga.
Si se apreciara un functionamiento incorrecto de la fuente de
alimentacion, debera consultarlo en el establecimiento donde
adquirio la unidad, solo puede ser manipulado por un servicio
tecnico cualificado.
Bajo ninguna circunstancia abra VD. la unidad.

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Warranty
All microphones are warranted for one year
from date of purchase. You can extend that to a full
ten years if you register online at www.rodemic.com.

The warranty covers parts and labour that may be

required to repair the microphone during the warranty
period. The warranty excludes defects caused by
normal wear and tear, modification, shipping damage,
or failure to use the microphone as per the instruction
guide.

If you experience any problem, or have any questions

regarding your microphone, first contact the
dealer who sold it to you. If the microphone requires a
factory authorised service, return will be organised by
that dealer.

We have an extensive distributor/dealer network, but

if you have difficulty getting the advice or assistance
you require, do not hesitate to contact us directly.

Microphones
International
107 Carnarvon Street
Silverwater NSW 2128 Australia
Ph: +61 2 9648 5855
Fax: +61 2 9648 2455

USA
P.O. Box 4189
Santa Barbara, CA 93140-4189
Ph: 805 566 7777
Fax: 805 566 0071

Technical Support
For information and technical support questions contact:
support@rodemic.com

In the Unites States and Puerto Rico, contact

usasupport@rodemic.com or call 805 566 7777

In Australia, contact ozsupport@rodemic.com or call (02) 9648 5855

Anywhere except Australia, the United States and Puerto Rico,

contact support@rodemic.com or call +61 2 9648 5855

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